Promotion Potential

Supervisory Status

Who May Apply

Control Number

Job Announcement Number

Job Overview

Summary

This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position in the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, Assessment and Remediation Division, located at Potomac Yard in Arlington, VA.

The Assessment and Remediation Division (ARD) reports directly to the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) Director/Deputy Director and is responsible for supporting EPA regions on Superfund remediation, including site assessment; National Priority List (NPL) listing and delisting; investigations/feasibility studies; remedy selection; design, construction and implementation; and post construction activities including but not limited to implementation of institutional controls and conducting five year reviews. This Division is also responsible for coordination with state, tribal and local government environmental agencies, reuse/redevelopment of Superfund remedial sites and for engagement of communities affected by Superfund remedial sites. It serves as the lead within OSRTI for science policy issues, including risk assessment policies, chemical-specific policies, and coordination of Superfund research.

The Division Director advises the Office Director, Assistant Administrator, Regional Superfund Division Directors and Regional Administrators on remedial policy, performance, progress and fiscal status. The ARD Director manages four (4) Branches and is responsible for a contracts/grants/cooperative agreement budget of $11.7 million and approximately 50 employees.

Duties

1. The ARD participates with the Office Director in the formulation of overall programs and policies; the development of budgetary strategy and related justification; and in the review and evaluation of program operations and activities to determine satisfactory accomplishment of objectives. The Division presents, justifies and interprets the remedial programs to top levels of authority within the Agency; to the Office of Management and Budget; staff and members of Congress; officials of other Federal agencies, states, tribes and others as required.

2. The ARD formulates and directs a national program to protect public health and welfare and natural resources from threats posed by existing and potential hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants releases. Management responsibilities include revising and developing as necessary: (a) an overall program strategy for monitoring and evaluating the performance, progress and fiscal status of the uncontrolled hazardous waste program; (b) regulations, policy statements and guidelines for program administration and implementation; (c) total national resource needs and subsequent regional breakout; (d) national and regional site control programs to include support by contractor assistance as necessary; and (e) national and regional response capability.

3. The Division is responsible for coordination with other EPA offices outside of OSWER (e.g., ORD, OSRE, OGC); coordination with state, tribal and local government environmental agencies and associations; and for involvement of the affected communities at Superfund remedial sites. The Director serves as the Office lead on science policy issues, including risk assessment policies and technologies, chemical-specific policies, and coordination of research. Substantive responsibilities include: (a) working with research and development laboratories to keep abreast of latest developments, (b) establishing appropriate risk assessment guidelines for protective responses, (c) coordination on design, remedy selection and post construction activities. As appropriate, the ARD Director coordinates with other Federal agencies on Superfund remedial response issues and on issues related to science policy.

4. Establishes and maintains liaison or close working relationship with professional and other active groups such as national environmental groups, the Association of State, Territorial and Solid Waste Management Officials, the American Consulting Engineers Council, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, and other organizations active in the prevention and cleanup of oil and hazardous substance spills and hazardous waste control in order to bring the Agency's programs to their attention and solicit their recommendations and cooperation regarding implementation of Agency programs.

5. Coordinates OSRTI activities with other efforts in OSWER, other agency programs and other Federal Agencies. Maintains external relationships involving members of congress, officials at all levels of government - Federal, State and local representatives of national State and local organizations, educational institutions and others interested in emergency response and hazardous substance control. Through these relationships, solicits views on strategies, policies, and administration programs. Presents and defends programs before the Office of Management and Budget and Congress.

6. Maintain a headquarters organization, within the administrative framework established by higher levels of authority, for effective implementation of assigned responsibilities. Directs and manages the organizational entities engaged in accomplishing the functional responsibilities assigned the Division efficiently to assure achievement of objectives. Exercises responsibility for developing staffing patterns for assigned programs, developing operating plans, establishing internal operating policies and procedures, allocation, resources at his disposal.

7. Supports and coaches Division Branch Chiefs. Provides day-to-day advice and counsel for those subordinates who are currently within the incumbent’s sphere of responsibility. Works with the Office Director, Deputy Director and other Division Directors to prepare management feedback and sound personal and professional guidance to all members of the Senior Leadership Team.

8. Ensure that extramural resources, both procurement (contracts) and assistance (grants, cooperative agreements interagency agreements) are and appropriately managed to maximize use of the Agency's resources.

Travel Required

Occasional Travel

This position involves occasional travel.

Relocation Authorized

No

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants must have one year of experience at a level close to the work that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform successfully. You will be evaluated on the following Executive Core Qualifications. Please provide a narrative not to exceed two pages per ECQ and not more than 10 pages.

1. You must be a U.S. citizen.

Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service SES appointment, you are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Career Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications questions in order to receive consideration for the position. Additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification statements is available by going to the Office of Personnel Management's web site at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/SES_Quals_Guide_2006.pdf. When responding to the Mandatory Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the Technical and/or Desirable Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Your narrative responses to the Executive Core Qualification statements (ECQs) should not exceed two pages per each ECQ and not more than 10 pages total.

Your narrative responses to the Mandatory Technical and/or Desirable factors should not exceed two pages per each factor.

Security Clearance

Secret

Additional Information

What To Expect Next

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line occupational questionnaire, resume, responses to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), Technical Qualifications (TQs)and Desirable Qualifications (DQs), and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. If your application meets the basic qualifications, it will then be forwarded to a three member Rating Panel consisting of SES career members here at EPA for further review. The Rating Panel decides which Best Qualified applicants will be forwarded to the Selecting Official to make a selection. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. If your application is not forwarded to the Rating Panel, you will be notified of the outcome of your application. You may call Aurelia Feaster, Human Resources Specialist, Executive Resources Division on (202) 564-0402 to get the status of your application.

BENEFITS

Other Information

ETHICS: The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Must complete 1-year SES probation period, if not previously completed.SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male and hired, and if you were born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required by P.L. 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct DepositFINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Senior Executives are required to comply with the provisions of the Ethics in Government Act and must submit a financial disclosure statement, SF-278, upon assuming the position, annually, and upon termination of employment.TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION AND RELOCATION: In accordance with Federal and Agency travel regulations, the candidate selected for this position will not be reimbursed for travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty to this position. TELEWORK/FLEXIPLACE: This position has portable work; therefore, the selectee will be eligible for telework. BACKGROUND/SECURITY INVESTIGATION: If you are selected, a top secret background investigation is required.DRUG TESTING: If you are selected, a pre-employment drug test is required.TRAVEL: Position involves occasional travel.

How to Apply

You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. You must provide specific examples of your education, experience, training and awards in the manner and order instructed below which are applicable to each: (A) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), (B) Technical Qualifications (TQs), and (C) Desirable Qualifications (DQs). Response to the five ECQs and TQs is mandatory. Failure to address the ECQs and TQs will result in your application being disqualified. Addressing the DQs is optional; however, not addressing them will impact your rating. To begin the application process, click the Apply On-line button to the right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of this announcement. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USA Jobs document portfolio feature. If you cannot apply on-line, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed to the right for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the closing date of this announcement. For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to http://epa.gov/ohr/ezhire/vacancy_requirements.htm.

How You Will Be Evaluated

All five ECQs must be addressed in a supplemental statement of your application. Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility. Leadership competencies for each ECQ can be found at http://www.opm.gov/ses/handbook.html.

A. Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)- Mandatory -- Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified.ECQ 1 - LEADING CHANGE Involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. ECQ 2 - LEADING PEOPLE. Involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. ECQ 3 - RESULTS DRIVEN. Involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. ECQ 4 - BUSINESS ACUMEN. Involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.ECQ 5 - BUILDING COALITIONS. Involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.B. Technical Qualifications (TQs) -- Mandatory -- Note: Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified.

TQ1. Experience serving in a leadership role directing the activities of a multi-disciplinary staff.TQ2. Experience communicating complex and politically sensitive environmental policy issues.TQ3. Experience in initiating actions and following to completion the resolution of complex problems and issues.

DQ1. Demonstrates ability in dealing with high level officials in international, Federal, State, tribal and/or local organizations, public interest groups, industry and/or the general public.DQ2. Experience in a large complex, multi-mission organization, EPA or similar. To preview questions please click here.

Required Documents

Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Unless you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed a SES Career Development Program approved by OPM), you must submit a narrative statement covering each of the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications questions in order to receive consideration for the position.